Tubing head



July 5, 1938. H. P. wlcKl-:RSHAM ET AL 2,122,827

TUBING HEAD Filed May 10, 1935 2 Shee'cs-Shee'l l ow@ f 7 July 5, 1938. v I P. wlcKERsHAM yE1- AL 2,122,827

TUBING HEAD rif ' Patented July 5, 1.938

- aizzsz? rArENro l 2,122,827 l TUBING man Harry P. Wickersham, Huntington Park, and

Erwin Burns, Los Angeles, Calif.

I'Application May 10, i935, Serial No. 20.842

s claims. (ci. iscny This invention relates to equipmentl for use o`n a well and has particular reference to a tubing head for application to the .upper end of a well casing.. A general object of this invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive tubing' head that is operable to, effectively suspend the tubing and close oli. the upper end of the well, when desired. during the various phases of inserting yand removing the tubing and during the diierent phases of owing and pumping of the well.

Another object of the invention is to provider` a tubing head that includes a simple one piece bodythat is adaptedto carry slips for suspending the tubing when the tubing is being run into l5 or removed from the well and that is operable to carry a packer -or packing assembly for suspending the tubing and "sealing oil about the tubing in the event that gas pressures develop in the well while running in the tubing or in the '2o event that the well is ilowing into the head when the tubing is being pulled from the well. I

lAnother object of the invention is to provide a tubing head of the character mentioned that includes an upper section or 'head section to be arranged on the above mentioned body and a l novel landing plug for arrangement in said head vsection to suspend or land the tubing and close` off the upper end of the well about the tubing. Another object of the invention is to provide a tubing-head of the character mentioned in which the landing plug may be locked or held against upward movement oii its seat in the head section.

Another object of the invention adjusted or assembled to properly and dependably suspend the tubing when the headis under well pressures as well as when there is no flow l from the well. 40 A further object of the invention *s to provide a tubing head of the character mentioned that includes a'miuimum number of simple .sturdy inexpensive `parts thatA form a compact unit of small dimensions, f l i A y The various objects and features of our invention will be fully understood from ythe following detaileddescription of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in'which: i

Fig. lis a vertical detailed sectional `view of the head 4showing the tubing suspending slips .in position in the body. Fig. 2 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Iig. 1, showing `the body and slips in is to vprovide 35 a tubing head that may bev easily and'quickly plan elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical detailed sectional view illustrating the tubing landed or suspended by the packing vassembly and showing the head section in position on the body and carrying a gate valve. horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical detailed sectional view showing the tubing suspended from the landing plug and illustrating a' gate valve connected with the upper section or 10 head section. Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 taken in a vertical plane substantially to the planev of sectioning of Fig. 5, showing a gland or packing means on the head section 1 sealing about a sucker rod extending into the 15 y tubing and Fig. 'l is a side elevation of a tool for handling the hold down ring.

The present invention includes, generally,a tubing head body I0 adapted to be arranged on the upper end of a well casing C, slips II for 2g arrangement in the body I0 to suspend a string of tubing T as it is being run into or pulled from the well, a packer or packing assembly I2 adapted to be arranged in the body I0 for suspending and packing about the string of tubing T, a head 25 section or upper section I3 adapted to be arranged on the body I0 and a landing plug I4 adapted to be seated in the section I3 for landing or suspending the tubing T from its upper end.

. 30 The tubing head body I0 is adapted to be applied to the upper 4end of the well casingC and is formed toreceive and carry the slips II, the packing assembly I2 and the lupper section I3. Thevbody I0 is preferably a simple one piece 35 member of relatively 'small -verticaldimensions.

The body I0 is tubular having a central longitudinal opening I5 which is concentric with or coaxial with-the opening of the well casing C. The body opening I5 is preferably as large in diameter'` 40 as the opening of the casing C.4 .The body I0 may be attached to the casing C lin any suitable manner. In the particular case illustrated in 'the drawings the lower portion of the bodylll is internally threaded to be directlyscrewed on 45 the upper end portion of the casing C. 1n` ac-A cordance with the invention` a projecting radial ange I6 is provided on the upper end of the body l0. The ilange I 6 may be continuous or ,annular and Vmay be provided' with spaced verti- ,50 cal openings I1. f l

' The upper portion of the body opening I5 is flared upwardly and outwardly or. provided with an inclined seat .I8 to carry the slips II and the v packing assembly I2. Where the tubing T to be 5s Fig. 4-is a fragmentary 5 `evenly cooperate with the body seat I8.

the body at diametrically opposite points. The.

inner ends of the ports I9 communicate with the body opening I5 at points between the upper end of the casing C and the active portion of the seat I8. The ports I9 are inclined or curved upwardly and outwardly to have their outer ends adjacent the upper'end of the body Ill.` This curving or inclination of the ports I9 allows the body I0 to be of small dimensions and yet bring the outer ends of the ports I9 in convenient locations. The body wall may be thickened at or around vthe ports I9 as at 20.- Conduits or pipes -2| may be threaded into the outer ends of the ports I9 rto conduct fluid to and from the head.

The slips II are adapted to be arranged in the body I 0 on its seat I8 to grip and suspend the tubing T when the string of tubing is being assembled and run into the well. The slips II are arcuate or segmental members adapted to form an annular assembly. The slips Il may be provided in sets of three or four each. In the particular case illustrated there are three slips I I each being of substantially extent. The outer surfaces 22 of the slips II are inclined downwardly and inwardly and are curved to The inner sides of the slips II are substantially cylindrically curved or cylindrically concaved and are provided with upwardly and inwardlyl facing teeth 23 for gripping and holding the tubing T. The tops or upper ends of the slips Il may be iiat and horizontal. The slips II are preferably proportioned so that their upper ends are substantially flush with the upper end of 'the body IIJ when they are in position on the seat I8 and grippingthe tubing T. If desired the slips II may be socketed or provided with openings 24 to be light in weight, in which case their inner and outer portions are connected by webs 25. The lower outer corners of the slips II may be cut away or bevelled as at l26 to lighten the slips and leave the ports I9 exposed. During the running of the tubing T into the `well the slips I I may be assembled in the body I8 tosupport the string of tubing While a section of tubing is being con* necte'd with its upper end. p

The packer or packing assembly I2 is intended to be arranged on the seat I8 to suspend thetubing T and seal off the upper end of the body I0 in the event that pressures develop in the well when running in orwithdrawlng the string of tubing T. The packing assembly I2 is also adapted tov be employed to suspend the tubing T and seal off the upper end ofY the body I0 when the welll is flowing into the head while the tubing T is being pulled from the well. ,In the particular form of theinvention disclosed in the drawings the pack-v Ving assembly I2 comprises two sections A and B each including a body 21 of packing, 'a collar` section 28 on the upper end of the packing body 21, l anda collar section 29 at the lower end of the packing body 21. The bodies of packing 21 are arcuate being substantially in-circumferen'- tial extent and have inclined outer vsurfaces for sealing with the seat I8. The inner sides of the proper assembled relation. The sections A and B of the packing assembly are preferably hinged together as at 9 so that they may be readily handled as a unit. When the packing assembly I2 is arranged on the seat I8 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, a collar or coupling 32 I.on the tubing T may bear downwardly on the upper collar sections 28 to suspend the string of tubing T and to compress the packing 21 so that it effectively seals with the seat I8 and the tubing T. The packing assembly I2 is proportioned so that its lower end leaves the ports I 8 vuncovereclwl or open to allow the escape of fluid 1`rom-the well"' and to permit mud or liquid to be passed'into the well to kill the well pressures.

Thehead section or upper body section I3 is adapted to be applied to the body I0 when the tubing T is to be landed or suspended by means of the landing plug I4, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The section I3 is also adapted to be applied to the upper end of the body IIJ when the tubing T is suspended and packed about by the packing assembly I2, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and fluid is flowing into' the head and through the tubing. In accordance with the in` ventionthe section I3 has an outwardly projecting ange 33 at its lower end adapted to oppose.

or seat on the body flange I6. Bolts 34 are passed through the openings I1. and openings in the flange 33 to attach the section I3 to the body III. The invention provides means for sealing between the body I0 and the section I3. An annular groove 35 is provided in the upper face ofthe body I0 and carries a gasket or packing 36. An annular projection or ridge 31 is provided on the lower end of the section I3 'to t in the groove 35 and compress the packing 36. The packing 36 sealing with the walls of the groove 35 and with the ridge 31 forms a. tight uid seal between the body I8 and the section I3.

The upper portion 38 of thesection I3 is of reduced diameter and is preferably cylindrical. 'The wall of the section I3 arches or curves upwardly and inwardly from the -flange`33 to the reduced portion 38. The upper reduced portion 38 of the Y section I3 is provided with an internal seat 39,.

The seat. 39 has, `^a downwardly and inwardly and 5 of the drawingsand so that a gland may be threaded to it as shown in Fig. 6 of tl'redrawings. The landing plug I4 is provided tolsuspend the string of tubing T from its upperend when the string has been set or anchored in `the"wel1. The

plug I4 is adapted to be arranged ion' the seat 39 to carry or suspend the tubing Tand to form a closure or packing member sealing'y between the tubing and the seat. p The plug I4 is a tubular' member having va central longitudinal opening 40.`

The lower portion of the plug openngf4`0 is f threaded to receive the threaded upper end of the vdling and turning the ring ifi tubing T as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The upper `portion of the opening 40 may be threaded to receive the end portion of a pipe or iitting for handling the plug or for carrying fluid from the tubing. The exterior of the plug It is tapered to evenly engage the seat 39. In accordance with the invention means is provided for sealing or packing between the plug Id and the seat 35i.

.Theupper portion of the plug Iii is of reduced external diameter to have an upwardly facing annular shoulder d3. A threaded opening or socket 6E) is provided in the upper end of the portion 38 and its lower wall forms an upwardly facing shoulder 6I. threaded into the socket E@ to bear downwardly on the shoulder lit and hold the plug it on the seat 39. A sealing gasket 62 is engaged by the lower end of the ring M to seal with the shoulder 43, the shoulder 5I and the lower end oi the ring. The ring it may have a crown or portion projecting above the upper end of the section i3 provided with notches 35 to facilitate the turning and threading of the ring. The invention provides a novel means for handling the ring Mi. The notches 45 are substantially T shaped having oppositely extending lateral branches @t at their inner ends, A tool 66 is provided for han- The tool @d is preferably tubular and has substantially T shaped lugs @l on its lower end. The lugs @i are adapted to enter the mouths of the notches and their arms t3 are adapted to cooperate with the branches 65 whereby the ring ttrnay be turned in either direction and carried by the tool iid.

When the tubing T is landed in'the head by the plug it and the well is flowing through the tubing T the gate valve V is preferably provided on the head to control the iiow and to carry the Christ mas tree assembly (not shown). In most instances it may be desirable to directly thread the lower end of the valve V on the reduced upper portion 38 of the section i3. It is to be understood that adapters or other parts may be threaded on theportion 3% if desired to connect with a gate valve, or the like. In accordance with the invention the plug It, the ring Mi and the tool 66 are proportioned so that they may be passed through the valve V whereby the plug Iii may be screwed and locked in place and removed from the head without disturbing or detaching the valve V. When the gate G of the valve V is in its open position the tool 66 may be passed through the passage III and the yseat of the valve V to un-A screw the ring 441 whereupon the ring may be withdrawn through the valve on the tool. A pipe or like object may then be inserted through the valve V and threaded in the upper end of the plug I4 for the purpose of removing the plug I4 through the valve V. The plug IB and thering le may be inserted through the valve V and arranged in position in a similar manner if desired.

When the well is being pumped a pump operating sucker rod 50 extends downwardly through the string of tubing T. The rod 50 passes through the landing plug I4 and a gland 5I is .threaded on the upper portion 38 of the section I3 to carry packing 52 for sealing about the rod. A follower 53 is threaded in the upper end of the gland 5I A hold down ring lill is` to compress the packing 52. A fluid discharge openingmay be provided in the gland 5I to allow the discharge of fluid pumped.

It is believed that the features and uses of the invention will be readily apparent from the fore goin-g detailed description. The head involves an assembly of parts that may be easily and quickly adjusted and assembled to suspend the tubing T during the insertion and removal of the tubing and during the various phases of iowing and pumping of the well. The simple head iii is formed to properly carry the slips Ii and the packing assembly i2 and is adapted to directly carry the upper section I3. The slips Ii are easily assembled on the seat It to suspend the tubing T'during the running of the tubing into or out of the well. In the event that well pressures develop when the tubing is being run into or removed from the well the packing assembly i2 may be quickly inserted in the body Ill to suspend the tubing and seal off the upper end of the, body. The upper section i3 may be easily attached to the body I when the packing assembly I2 is in the body as4 shown in Fig. 3 and may v be secured to the body to carry the landing. plug lli when the tubing T is to be finally landed. The plug Id is asimple sturdy part which dependably suspends the tubing 'I' and forms a tight seai with the seat 3d. The tubing head of the present invention is inexpensive to manufacture and occupies a minimum space at the upper end of the well.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the speciiic details set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any variations or modifications'that may appear to those skilled inthe art tor fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described our invention, we claim:

l. In combination a tubing head body applied to the upper end of a weli casing, said body being formed with a central unobstructed opening, a section applied to the upper end of said body and lying in a plane substantially entirely above the end face of said body and forming a sealed closure for the body, a tubular extension forming a partof and projecting upwardly from said upper section and being formed with a tapered seat therethrough, an internally threaded tapered plug adapted to iit within said seat and to provide a threaded.- connection for the upper end of a tubing, and a ring nut threaded into the mouth of the tubular extension of the upper member and engaging the tapered plug to hold the same on its seat.

2. In combination a tubing head body applied to the upper end of a well casing, said body being formed with a central unobstructed opening, a section applied to the upper end of said body and lying in a plane substantially entirely above the end face of said body and forming a sealed closure for the body, a tubular extension forming a part of and projecting upwardly from said upper section and being formed with a tapered seat therethrough, an internally threaded tapered plug adapted to fit within said seat and to provide a threaded connection for the upper end of atubing, the mouth of the tubular extension of the upper member being counterbored and threaded, said counterbore terminating with a square shoulder, the upper end of the tapered plug being reduced in diameter with a square shoulder lying substantially in the plane of the square shoulder of the counterbore, packing I means disposed upon said shoulders and sealing the joint therebetween, and a ring nut threaded` aligned therewith, and having upwardly and out-x wardly tapering walls, a horizontal i'ace upon the upper end thereof formed with a circular packing groove, ports formed in the wall of said body member and extending radially thereof to accommodate a ow of iluid from the. casing, an upper section mounted upon said body section and having an annular lip extending into the groove in the body member to form a seal therewith, means clamping the two sections together,

` an upper passageway in said upper section through which a tubing string may extend, and a packer assembly adapted to seat within the tapered opening of the body member, said packer assembly comprising a yieldable central pack- Iing element having a central opening to receive the tubing Vstring and split radially lat one side so that it may be sprung around the tubing string and the upper and lower plates between which the packing element is positioned, said plates having a central opening to accommodate the drill string, said plates being secured together through the packing, and each of said plates being formed in two semi-circular halves, which halves are hinged togetheron the side opposite to the split in they packing element.

HARRY P. WICKERsHAM. Eawm BURNS. 

